Minutes:
i. The Mayor announced that she was very pleased to welcome and congratulate Anoria Simmons of Devonshire Hill Primary School on winning the Pearson Teaching award 2013 “Teacher of the Year in a Primary School Award”. The Mayor also welcomed Julie D’Abreu, Head Teacher of Devonshire Hill Primary School who nominated Anoria for the award.
The Mayor advised that Anoria has dedicated her career, her enthusiasm and her boundless energy to improving the life chances of the pupils who attend Devonshire Hill School. Her focus was teaching maths, but she sets challenging targets across the whole curriculum and then supported the children to achieve and exceed their own personal best.
Councillor Waters – Cabinet Member for Children also spoke of the achievements of Anoria Simmons in her excellent work.
The Mayor presented the Award to Anoria Simmons and the Council gave a round of applause.
ii. Armed Forces Community Covenant Event
The Mayor reported that on 7 November 2013 she had been pleased to sign the Act of Covenant of the national Armed Forces Community Covenant, and advised that the community covenant was a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its local Armed Forces Community. The covenant was designed as a statement of intent, and it was not a legal contract. The Mayor advised that the covenant aimed to:
· encourage local communities to support the armed forces in their areas and to nurture public understanding and awareness among the public of issues affecting the armed forces community
· recognise and remember the sacrifices made by the armed forces community
· encourage activities which help to integrate the armed forces into local life
· encourage the armed forces community to help and support the wider community, whether through participation in events and joint projects, or other forms of engagement.
iii. Remembrance
The Mayor advised that on 8 November 2013 she had attended together with her consort, the Remembrance Day service at City Hall.
The Mayor also advised that on 9 November 2013 she attended with her consort, and family, The Chief Executive of Haringey, DL Rosemary Warne, Lynne Featherstone MP, Joanne McCartney and fellow councillors the Jewish Civic Service at Muswell Hill Synagogue.
The Mayor reported that on 10 November 2013 , she had been pleased to attend the Remembrance Day Service in Tottenham, along with many fellow Councillors, the Borough Commander of the Police - Victor Olisa, and members of other Faiths, who took part in the service. The Mayor informed the meeting thatCllr Amin took the service in Wood Green and Cllr Griffith in Hornsey.
The Mayor reported that on 11 November 2013, she had held a Remembrance Service in Tottenham Cemetery, where 300 hundred children were present, plus many pensioners, together with the DL Rosemary Warne.
iv. The Mayor advised that she was saddened to report the deaths of Blair Greaves, Ralph Straker and Len Snow ,
The Death of Blaire Greaves
The Mayor informed the meeting of the death of Ex Councillor Blair Greaves, and advised that Blair had been an active and effective Councillor as well as being, she believed, the first black Conservative Cllr in Haringey.
The Mayor invited Councillor Stennett wished to speak in memory of Blaire.
Councillor Stennett spoke of both personal family, and civic memories of former Councillor Blaire Greaves.
The Mayor invited Peter Forrest - Chairman Hornsey & Wood Green Conservatives, who then addressed the meeting for a few moments in memory of former Councillor Blaire Greaves.
Councillor Winskill also paid tribute to former Councillor Blaire Greaves and his work as a Councillor.
The Mayor gave details of the Funeral service which would be at 10.45 (for 11.00) at the Union Church, 143 Ferme Park Road N8 9SG (junc of Weston Park), on November 22, 2013 .
On behalf of the Council the Mayor passed the meeting’s condolences to the family of Blaire Greaves.
The Death of Ralph Straker
The Mayor reported death of Ralph Straker OBE, BSM, JP (77) who had passed away on 12th October 2013 after a four year illness, from Parkinson’s Disease.
The Mayor asked Councillor Griffith to say a few words in memory of Ralph.
Councillor Griffith informed the meeting that who came from Barbados at the age of 21 was a powerful and influential figure in the Caribbean Community, and had started life in Britain as a bus conductor at Finchley Bus Garage and then went on to make significant contributions in Race Relations in Southwark, Hackney and Haringey (Race Relations Advisor). Councillor Griffith reported that Ralph also served as a Verger at St Paul’s in Finchley for 45 years, a Justice of the Peace Westminster and an outstanding Toastmaster, nationally. Amongst the accolades received by Ralph were: The OBE for Services to the Community, The Barbados Service Medal for his work amongst Barbadians in London and the St Mellitus Medal in 2011 in recognition of his substantial contribution to the Christian Life of London. Councillor Griffith advised that Memorial Services had been held for Ralph at St Paul’s Finchley on Tuesday 5th and Saturday 9th November 2013 at St Mark's Dalston, respectively, where hundreds of people attended to pay their respects. The body was flown to Barbados for burial. Ralph left a wife (Monica) and three daughters, Carol, Diana and Jean.
On behalf of the Council the Mayor passed the meeting’s condolences to the family of Ralph Straker. .
The Death of Len Snow
The Mayor, with sadness reported death of Len Snow, the previous Mayor of Camden, long time friend of many Haringey Mayors.
The Mayor asked and Full Council stood for 1 minutes silence in memory of Blair Greaves, Ralph Straker, and Len Snow.
NOTED